Lifting the Spirits of America's Troops & Their Families

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Daily Archives: May 24, 2010

The Whigs (L-R) Tim Deaux, Julian Dorio and Parker Gisbert perform for troops at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, on the band's first-ever USO tour, May 22, 2010. (USO Photo by Jamie Goloyugo)

Athens, GA-based rock band The Whigs are currently traveling through Germany and the UK on their first USO tour. journey abroad to Europe and rock out with military families as part of a nine-day USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. The tour kicked off last week and the trio has performed five hi-octane USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour concerts for troops and their families.

Locations visited include USAG Grafenwoeher, USAG Hohenfels, Spangdahlem Air Base, Ramstein Air Base and RAF Alconbur. The Whigs have also visited the USO Warrior Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. During their visit, the band will also sign autographs, pose for photos and tour multiple military posts. Check out some fresh photos!

The Whigs singer/songwriter Parker Gisbert performs for troops at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, May 22, 2010. The rock band recently set out on their first-ever USO tour, entertaining troops serving in the UK and Germany. (USO Photo by Jamie Goloyugo)

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Participants posed for large and small group photos along the way, including at the first rest stop. USO Delaware Center Director Joan Cote is standing in the USO shirt, center.

We hope you had a chance to read about a great event that occurred in Delaware this weekend: the 3rd Annual Base 2 Base March! Nearly fifty airmen made the 47-mile trek from the Delaware Air National Guard headquarters in New Castle to the Dover Air Force Base. Along the way they were supported by just one civilian marcher, and that was the USO’s own Joan Cote, Center Director for USO Delaware!

We wanted to share a bit more about this great event, which raised over $1000 for the USO…

The first participant began the march just a couple minutes before 5:00 p.m. Within a few minutes after 5:00 p.m., all marchers departed the air base, with event organizer Tech. Sgt. David Jackson one of the last marchers to leave, keeping an eye on the long line of marchers. Participants included 45 combined Airmen from the active duty 436th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve 512th Airlift Wing, both based at Dover AFB. Also marching were four Airmen from the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing.

The 49 Airmen departed Delaware ANG HQ past the main gate and down Spruance Drive, walking in small clusters of one, two, three, four or five Airmen. Nearly every other participant carried a flag, either their unit flag, or an Air Force flag, a USO flag, or a handmade flag.

It was a sunny spring day and the Airmen applied sunscreen, ate snacks and drank fluids before they departed, in addition to carrying a flashlight and a reflective belt for safety, as the march lasted all through the night, too. The large group heard welcome remarks from Colonel Daniel Van Wyk, 166th Maintenance Group Commander, Delaware Air National Guard, and then received a safety briefing from event organizer Tech. Sgt. Jackson. The marchers also heard a few words of encouragement from Chief Master Sgt. Chris Ford, 512th Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, who is also participating in the march.

Congratulations to every one who marched and came out to support USO Delaware. We’ll see you next year!

The marchers - having walked for nearly 22 hours - round the bend into the North Gate at Dover Air Force Base, where a host of sirens and cheers greeted them upon arrival.